Special Strategic Partnership Sealed, 15 Pacts Signed
Rome : Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Italy has given a major boost to bilateral ties, with India and Italy finalising 15 outcomes across diverse sectors. The agreements were on Wedneday signed after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Rome. The outcomes marked the elevation of bilateral relations to a Special Strategic Partnership.
Both countries signed several Memorandums of Understanding to deepen cooperation in agriculture, critical minerals, Ayurveda, science and technology, maritime transport and ports. An agreement was also signed to facilitate the mobility of Indian nurses to Italy, opening new opportunities for skilled healthcare professionals. Another key pact focuses on the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, reflecting growing cooperation in cultural and maritime heritage. India and Italy also agreed to strengthen coordination against tax crimes, money laundering and terror financing.
Following the talks, Prime Minister Modi in a joint press statement said the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 will provide a practical and futuristic roadmap for bilateral cooperation. He said both sides are working towards establishing an India-Italy Innovation Centre and noted that the India-Italy Defence Industrial Roadmap has opened new avenues for co-development and co-production in the defence sector.
Mr Modi said India and Italy, as maritime powers, will expand cooperation in shipping, port modernisation, logistics and the blue economy. Referring to global challenges, he said both countries remain in close contact on Ukraine, West Asia and other international issues, reiterating that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only way forward. He also stressed that India and Italy are united in viewing terrorism as a serious threat to humanity and underlined the need for strong action against terror financing networks.
Highlighting economic cooperation, the Prime Minister said Italy is globally known for design and precision, while India has emerged as a hub of scale, talent and affordable innovation. He said both countries will move ahead with the vision of “Design and Develop in India and Italy and Deliver for the World.”
Italian Prime Minister Meloni said the Special Strategic Partnership reflects the growing depth of India-Italy relations based on mutual trust and shared values. She also emphasised the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific and strengthening cooperation across key sectors.
The outcomes of the visit are expected to further enhance economic engagement, innovation partnerships and people-to-people exchanges, while reinforcing cooperation on global peace, sustainable development and international security.
